[jcoe]

Download Attachment: walhterside.jpg
63.71KB


Figure 1. PP #751780 has the following features consistent with early Walther PP production: split firing pin and heavy hammer(no notch), also 90degree safety with large safety lever, C spring, no cartridge indicator and hollow cruciform grips.


Download Attachment: 242430.jpg
50.96KB


Figure 2. In addition, PP #751780 is stamped on the left frame with the following numbers ”2424 30”. These numbers have been interpreted to represent the export number of the pistol (2424) and year of export (1930) to Czechoslovakia. Rankin’s Walther pistols(vol 1, p59) shows a similarly marked (3530 30) early PP (#751838) and this pistol is also stamped with a Czech “Rampart” Lion . Ron Lindsley has recorded a similar sequence of numbers (export number and the two digit year of export) with the lion acceptance on many other later exported of PP,PPK pistols. However, PP #751780 is the earliest example in this series, and this PP does not bear this lion acceptance mark. Were some of the earlier exports processed without the lion proof? Were these really Czech exports? Could #751780 have been exported someplace else?
John

 

[Jan]

Sorry but the "export number" theory is not correct. In Czechoslovak Republic since 1918 was State organized weapons proofing compulsory. The 2424 is proofing protocol number, 30 is year of proof. Missing Lion/N stamping is not uncommon. The directive was: If the weapon surface is too hard (PP slide is hardened) crucial is protocol number. The same directive is still valid and today proofed pistols are marked in the same manner.

 

[jcoe]

Thanks Jan. Very interesting information. Can you explain what a “proofing protocol number” actually represents? Could this same number be applied to more than one import? Note that the other PP also imported in 1930 had different number(3530).
Regds,John

 

[Jan]

Sorry, my English is far to be perfect...

Proofing protocol is a simple but fat book. Protocol number is one line in this book. Each proofed weapon received unique "proofing protocol number". It is an ordinar number and meaning is 2424th weapon proofed (19)30.

Following this number you can (in this book right now) find what for weapon was it, what calibre, the date of testfire, who submitted this weapon for proofing procedure, who testfired this weapon.
A lot of informations about Czech proofhouse you can find (in English!) here: http://www.cuzzs.cz/index.php?lang=en&PHPSESSID=1feac17170a3a0efc8fb8f189da89239

 

[jcoe]

Jan, thanks for the clarification. So one could say this number represents the import/proof number for a firearm of that particular year. Your Czech proofhouse site is great. Nice to see where my PP was Czech proofed 74 years ago.
John

 

[Jan]

This number has nothing to do with the fact this weapon was imported from outside Czech Republic. Newly (=contemporary) made or repaired Czech weapons are numbered in the same progression.



Download Attachment: AAA.jpg
138.1KB

 

[jcoe]

Jan, thanks again for clarification. Were proofs from any country honored ( accepted} by Czech Republic or were all firearm imports proofed/numbered?
John

 

[Jan]

In prewar (WW II) times were honored Belgian proofs and some (not all) Belgian weapons are marked with validate marks (longbow in ring or hexagon). Austrian proofs were honored. In different times were honored or not honored German proofs.

 

[jcoe]

Thank you Jan. Great information.
Speaking of early Walther PP pistols, here is a comparison of Walther hammers, and safety levers that can found in this series.



Download Attachment: 3walthers.jpg
101.97KB



Figure 1. On the lower left is PP #751780 with early heavy hammer ,split firing pin and large safety lever.
On the upper left is PP #757590, with early large ring hammer, converted to one piece covered firing pin and replaced thin safety lever.
On the right is a standard PP hammer and safety lever(60 degrees).
John